Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It has been a rough year bro.
The family is still hurting so. This is the first time I could get myself to write something. I still think it a dream a year later. We check on Silva & the kids every week, but we still excpect you to answer the phone. After having been your friend and then welcoming me into your family 22 years ago it is still so hard. We think of you daily and we will miss you forever.
J.

Ex-Capt
K.C.F.D

July 12, 2005

My condolences to Sylvia, Richie, Lori. Richie will miss the long chats and that great smile of yours, thanks for being such a great friend.

EMT Jamie Gaskill
SomersPoint Rescue

December 23, 2004

Sylvia, Lori & Richie Jr.,
I had always wanted to visit New York and shortly after 911 I did exactly that. That trip has more meaning to me today than any other travel or vacation I have done in my entire life. And the reason for that is because I got to meet you, your family and a man I truley admired. That man being, your husband, your father, Richard Brooks. I thank you for treating me like family and I thank you for taking the time to show me the sight of the WTC and all the points of interest in New York City. It was truley a pleasure spending time with you and Richard. So much so that as you know, I returned a year later and received the same warm welcome from you and your entire family.
And for that, I am forever thankful! Richard and I devolped a close long distance relationship. Although I had the pleasure of only knowing Richard just three years, it felt like we were friends for several years. As you know, we constantly keept in contact with each other. I was so looking forward to meeting with you and Richard in Las Vegas. I know that he loved all of you very much. His love was you, and serving the public. So much that he wanted to continue to serve part time even after all those years with NYPD but at the same time, spend more time with you. Richard Brooks is an example of a true hero, a true law enforcement officer, a true family man and a true human being. Every day I think of the good times we spent together while I was in NY with Richard, you and your family. Richard will truley be missed!
Love,
Mike

Det. Mike Naccarato
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

October 12, 2004

To my sister Sylvia,nephew Richie Jr. and niece Lori, The Lord has decided it was time for Richie Sr. to complete his duty here on earth. He has taken a new role as our angel looking after us from the heavens above. He will live forever in our hearts will never be forgotten and will be truly missed. May the memory of Richie give us strength as a family. Our time together here is limited but in heaven is is everlasting.
The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
>From the beginning...to the end

He noted that first came the date of his birth
And spoke of the latter with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not how much we own
The cars...the house... the cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash

So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
You could be a "dash mid-range"

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a while

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spend your dash?

Author unknown.


With all of my love....Ralph

Ralph Vazquez

October 8, 2004

Just a note to the family of Constable Brooks. Hardly a day goes by that I do not think of your loss and of your midshipman carrying on bravely at USNA. Whenever I send up a prayer for my own midshipman, one often goes up for yours as well. I pray also for your own consolation and for the repose of Constable Brooks' soul. May you receive continued support and strength in what must continue to be a difficult time.

Mary Abell

Mary Abell
mother of a USNA midshipman '08

September 27, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND DEPARTMENT

911 DISPATCHER
LANCASTER/GARRARD 911

August 16, 2004

My deepest sympathies to the Brooks family and the Bay Constables of Babylon. You are gone but not forgotten.

PO Schrade
Dept. of Veterans Affairs Police

August 10, 2004

IT IS SAD TO SEE ANOTHER BROTHER FALLEN, WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE STREETS SAFE. MAY GOD WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

PATROLMAN CHAD MULLEN
HORNELL CITY POLICE DEPT

August 6, 2004

The heroism of Bay Constable Brooks will live in our hearts always. I especially will recall that he was an officer doing the job as a service to his community after he had "retired". G-d bless Bay Constable Brooks' family and may they find comfort.

Aux. PO D. Spier
Nassau County Auxiliary Police

August 4, 2004

RICHIE, YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY ALL. ESPECIALLY BY YOUR FAMILY AT THE 71 PCT. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS.

POLICE OFFICER JOE DIMEO
NYCPD 122PCT (FORMERLY OF THE 71 PCT.

August 4, 2004

My condolences to the family,friends and co-workers of Constable Richard Brooks. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers.

Officer Dennis Szentmariay JR.
High Point Police

August 4, 2004

Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Constable Brooks. May he rest in peace and may they find solace in knowing that others truly care.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

August 3, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH BAY
CONCTABLE BROOKS, HIS FAMILY AND CO-
WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

August 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to Constable Richard Brooks, his family and to the Town of Babylon - Bay Constable.

You will never be forgotten!!

Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department, Texas

August 1, 2004

TO:The family;loved ones;friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me.As I begin my tour of duty,I ask your protection from all mental,physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work,endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my dutries.Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think that no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence .Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers,and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord,I ask that I may return safely after my tour of duty,to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer;and after my tour of duty is over here on earth,may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well.AMEN.***REST IN REACE*** Sent to you by the father of Master Officer J.D.Koeppen,Capital City Raleigh NC;Trooper D.C.Koeppen, NJ State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen,Wilmington NC.

Chief (retired) Douglas A.Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

July 30, 2004

May God bless LT R Brooks. May he rest in peace up in heaven amongst the ranks of New York's Finest.

PO J Lemos
NYPD 78PCT

July 30, 2004

To the family and friends of Constable Brooks, and to the Town of Babylon members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother.

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, Fl

July 27, 2004

We are truly saddened at Richard's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

July 27, 2004

My brother Richie
You will always be in my heart. I will miss you deeply. I know you left us doing what you love and that is my only comfort.I will watch over the family and will always remember all the fun we all had when we were together.


Love you forever
Your sister

July 26, 2004

My condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Constable Brooks. I know that he was a great man who loved what he was doing, as my son loved his job. They are together walking Gods beat now, and watching over everyone from above. We will never forget. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker 1-14-04

July 25, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Constable Richard Brooks. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

July 24, 2004

To the Brooks Family _

We are fellow USNA '08 plebe parents who have just heard the tragic news of Richard's passing. We are heartbroken for your family. I'm sure, just like us, your family was elated and bursting with pride just a few short weeks ago when you were honored to take Richard Jr. to I-Day. Who could have imagined that such an unspeakable thing could happen at one of the happiest times of your life.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you at his very sad time. We want you to know that your new, extended USNA family cares very much about you and that you can call upon us at any time.

To Richard, Jr., we know your Dad is proudly watching you and will be your guiding star in the difficult days ahead. In serving your country, you are honoring him and continuing his legacy of caring and selflessness. God bless you and your family.

"May his memory be eternal"

With our deepest sympathy,

Debbie & Jerry Cammarata
Bloomfield, NJ
Jason '08 O/28

Debbie & Jerry Cammarata

July 24, 2004

We'll finish your watch.. Relax, brother, and enjoy your much deserved retirement.. God bless.

PTLM
New Castle County Police, Delaware

July 23, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

July 23, 2004

On behalf of the City of Sutherlin Police Department, I send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Constable Brooks. May your loving memories of him be a lasting tribute to his bravery and as well as the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his community.

Officer Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department

July 23, 2004